Compressed solid dosage form manufacturing process well-suited for use with drugs of low aqueous solubility and compressed solid dosage forms made thereby

ABSTRACT

A pharmaceutical formulation of compounds with low aqueous solubility and method of manufacture thereof. The formulation may include a pharmacologically active compound having low aqueous solubility and starch in the amount of greater than about 25 weight percent. A manufacturing method may include blending the active compound and starch, compressing the blend into a solid, comminuting the solid into granules, wetting the granules, drying the granules, and tabletting the dried granules to make a solid pharmaceutical formulation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to compressed solid dosage formmanufacturing methods and solid dosage forms such as tablets and capletsproduced therefrom. The invention relates more particularly totabletting manufacturing methods and tablets produced therefrom fordrugs of low aqueous solubility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When solid dosage forms are taken orally, in many cases, the drug mustdissolve in aqueous gastrointestinal fluids in, e.g., the patient'sstomach before the drug can exert a therapeutic effect. A recurringproblem with compressed solid oral dosage forms, such as tablets andcaplets (i.e., capsule-shaped tablets) is that the rate of dissolutionof some drugs from the dosage form limits their biological availability.This problem arises from the fact that many drugs are small organicmolecules with low solubility in aqueous fluids. There are several waysto address the solubility problem of poorly soluble drugs.

For example, the drug itself can be modified. The physical form of thedrug can be manipulated by various techniques to optimize the rate atwhich the drug dissolves. Of these techniques, the one most relevant tothe present invention is particle size reduction. The rate ofdissolution of a solid may often depend upon the surface area that isexposed to the dissolving medium and since the surface area of a givenmass of a substance is generally inversely proportional to thesubstance's particle size, reducing the particle size of a powder orgranular substance may increase its dissolution rate.

Where it is effective, particle size reduction increases the dissolutionrate of a particulate solid by increasing the surface area that isexposed to the dissolving medium. However, particle size reduction isnot always effective at increasing the dissolution rate of a drug from acompressed solid dosage form. Many hydrophobic drugs have a strongtendency to agglomerate during the dosage form manufacturing processinto larger particles with an overall decrease in effective surfacearea. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th ed. 656, 657(A. R. Gennaro Ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: Philadelphia 2000),incorporated by reference herein, contains a more thorough discussion ofthe concept of “effective surface area” and the effect of particle sizeon dissolution. A drug that has ostensibly been milled to a fineparticle size will sometimes display dissolution characteristics of alarger particle due to agglomeration or similar effect.

There are three well known processes for manufacturing compressed soliddosage forms: the wet granulation method, the double-compression method(also known as dry granulation) and the direct compression method. Ineach of these methods, there are blending steps which can promoteagglomeration of fine particles of the drug into larger, less rapidlydissolving, particles.

In the wet granulation method, pre-weighed drug and one or more otheringredients, like a diluent, are blended. The blend is then mixed with aliquid such as water or ethanol which causes the particles toagglomerate into a damp mass. Sometimes the liquid contains a binder.The damp mass is screened to produce granules which are then dried. Thedry granules are screened to produce granules of a predetermined size.Then, the granules are typically blended with a solid lubricant andpossibly other ingredients. Lastly, the lubricated granules and anyother extra-granular ingredients are compressed into a tablet, which maysubsequently be coated.

The double-compression or dry granulation method has fewer steps thanwet granulation and does not require contact with a liquid or drying,which makes it well suited for formulating water sensitive and heatsensitive drugs. In the double-compression method, the drug and otheringredients, such as a lubricant, are blended and then compressed in afirst compression step. There are two conventional first compressiontechniques. One is roller compaction where the blend is fed betweenrollers which press it into sheets and the other is slugging where theblend is compressed into slugs, which are tablet-like forms that aretypically larger than tablets intended for human consumption. Theresulting sheets or slugs are then comminuted into granules, mixed witha solid lubricant and compressed in a second compression step to producethe final tablet.

The direct compression method is the simplest of the three well knownmethods for making compressed solid dosage forms. In the directcompression method, the drug and any other ingredients are blendedtogether and directly compressed into the final tablet. The tabletingredients must have good flow properties and cohesion to be suitablefor direct compression tabletting. Microcrystalline cellulose andlactose are two commonly used diluents in direct compression tabletting.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,811, incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety, describes a pharmaceutical formulation comprising raloxifenein particulate form, said particles having a mean particle size ofbetween about 5 and about 20 microns, at least about 90% of saidparticles having a size of less than about 35 microns.

In addition to modifying the physical characteristics of the drug, thecomposition of the dosage form can be adjusted to promote dissolution ofthe drug. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,383, incorporated byreference herein in its entirety, describes an orally administrablepharmaceutical formulation comprising raloxifene and a hydrophiliccarrier composition. The hydrophilic carrier composition contains asurfactant, a water-soluble diluent, and a hydrophilic binder.

Our experimental work has been guided by a search for ways to modify thecomposition and method of manufacturing of oral dosage forms to promotedissolution of poorly soluble drugs. Our experimental work also focusedon the search for novel manufacturing processes and compositions whichenable us to utilize larger drug particles than recommended in theliterature, while maintaining a fast dissolution rate and concomitanthigh bioavailability. The drug raloxifene has been used as a model inmuch of this work. However, it its more general application, theinvention disclosed herein is not to be construed as limited toraloxifene solid dosage forms.

In a well known study published in 1963, Levy et al. reported on theeffect of starch on the rate of dissolution of salicylic acid fromtablets manufactured by double compression. Levy, G. et al., J. Pharm.Sci. 1963, 52, 1047. It was discovered that increasing the starchcontent from 5 to 20% increased the rate of dissolution of salicylicacid three fold. This observation was attributed to fasterdisintegration of tablets with a higher starch content. In 1967, Finholtet al. observed that fine starch particles added to phenobarbitaltablets increased the dissolution rate of phenobarbital from thetablets. Reaching a different conclusion from Levy et al., it wasproposed that the starch worked by coating the phenobarbital crystalsand imparting a hydrophilic property to them, which improved contactbetween the phenobarbital particles and an aqueous dissolution medium.Finholt, P. Medd Norsk Farm. Selsk 1966, 28, 238.

Starch is a common ingredient of tablets, where it is used for a varietyof purposes. It is routinely used, e.g., as a diluent, binder,disintegrant, and glidant. Diluents increase the bulk of a solidpharmaceutical composition and can make a pharmaceutical dosage formcontaining the composition easier for the patient and caregiver tohandle. Binders help bind the active ingredient and other ingredientstogether, for example, during granulation or compression steps.Disintegrants accelerate break up of the tablet in a patient's stomach,typically by drawing water into the tablet and causing it to swell,thereby breaking the tablet into smaller pieces (resulting in greatersurface area). Glidants improve the flowability of powder compositionsby coating the surfaces of the particles. According to the Handbook ofPharmaceutical Excipients 4th Ed. 603-604. (Pharmaceutical Press: London2003), incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, starch iscommonly used in an amount of 5-15% when it functions as a binder. (Allpercentages, unless otherwise specified, are percentage by weight basedon the total weight of the compressed solid dosage form.) Whenfunctioning as a disintegrant, it is commonly added in an amount of3-15%. Id. The amount of diluent that is called for in a particularapplication depends upon many parameters and is highly variable.However, as the Handbook notes, starch does not compress well and tendsto increase tablet friability and capping if used in highconcentrations. Id. Thus, the use of high concentrations of starch as adiluent is limited by the deterioration in the hardness and friability(resistance to chipping) that occurs as the proportion of starch in theformulation is increased.

It would be highly desirable, therefore, to produce a compressed soliddosage form for oral administration having a high rate of dissolution ofa poorly soluble drug without having to reduce the particle size of thedrug beyond that size which is predicted by surface area calculation dueto agglomeration effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a compressed solidpharmaceutical dosage form comprising (a) a pharmacologically activecompound having low aqueous solubility (e.g., raloxifene) with aparticle size distribution such that d_((0.5)) greater than about 351 μmand d_((0.9)) less than about 100 μm; and (b) starch in an amount offrom about 25 to about 90 weight percent, preferably, from about 35 toabout 80 weight percent and, most preferably, from about 45 to about 75weight percent. The starch may increase the effective surface area ofthe formulation and, hence, its dissolution rate and bioavailability.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a process forpreparing a solid pharmaceutical dosage form for a drug having lowaqueous solubility that displays an acceptable dissolution rate and morepreferably displays a high rate of dissolution. It is understood thatfor raloxifene tablets, an “acceptable dissolution rate” is exemplifiedby the release of at least about 60 percent of the labeled dose withinabout 45 minutes when tested in 900 mL of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80solution, using paddle apparatus (USP Apparatus II) at 50 rpm, 37° C.When tested in 2 L of the solution, the release of at least about 60percent of the labeled dose is within about 40 minutes. It is alsounderstood that for raloxifene tablets, a “high rate of dissolution” isexemplified by the release of at least about 50 percent of the labeleddose within about 20 minutes, when tested in 900 mL of a 0.1% aqueouspolysorbate 80 solution, using paddle apparatus (USP Apparatus II) at 50rpm, 37° C. When tested in 2 L of the solution, the release of at least70 percent of the labeled dose is within about 50 minutes. The processcomprises (a) blending a particulate pharmacologically active compoundand starch; (b) compressing the blend into a coherent solid; (c)comminuting the coherent solid into granules; (d) wetting the granuleswith a liquid; (e) drying the wetted granules to form dried granules;and (f) tabletting the dried granules.

In a further embodiment, the invention is directed to a composition andprocesses for preparing a solid pharmaceutical dosage form of raloxifenethat displays an improved dissolution rate and having a particle sizedistribution significantly larger than that taught by the prior art.

In yet another embodiment, the invention is directed to methods oftreating disease, e.g., osteoporosis, comprising orally administering toa patient a compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of the presentinvention.

These and other embodiments of the present invention are described morefully below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plot comparing the percent dissolution of raloxifene overtime for:

(1) a raloxifene tablet containing conventional fillers and no starch,made by wet granulation;

(2) a raloxifene tablet with a relatively low starch content (24%), madeby wet double compression method;

(3) a raloxifene tablet with a high starch content (64.4%), made by drygranulation; and

(4) a raloxifene tablet with a high starch content (60.8%), made by wetdouble compression method.

The dissolution profile was generated by testing in 900 mL of a 0.1%aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, using paddle apparatus (USP ApparatusII), 50 rpm, 37° C. at 10, 20, 30 and 45 min time points.

FIG. 2 is a plot comparing the percent dissolution of raloxifene overtime for:

(1) a raloxifene tablet containing conventional fillers and no starch,made by wet granulation;

(2) a raloxifene tablet with a relatively low starch content (24%), madeby wet double compression method;

(3) a raloxifene tablet with a high starch content (64.4%), made by drygranulation; and

(4) a raloxifene tablet with a high starch content (60.8%), made by wetdouble compression method.

The dissolution profile was generated by testing in 2 L of a 0.1%aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, using paddle apparatus (USP ApparatusII), 50 rpm, 37° C. at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min time points.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In one aspect, the present invention provides a novel process formanufacturing a compressed solid dosage form, such as a tablet.Hereafter, the manufacturing process is referred to as the “wet doublecompression method.” The wet double compression method is advantageouslyused to make compressed solid dosage forms with a high content of afinely divided hydrophilic material, preferably starch, foradministering a drug having low aqueous solubility.

A drug has “low aqueous solubility” or is “poorly soluble” (usedinterchangeably) if its intrinsic water solubility (i.e., watersolubility of the un-ionized form) is less than about 1% by weight, andtypically less than about 0.1% or 0.01% by weight. Such drugs include,but are not limited to, raloxifene, oxcarbazepine and atorvastatin.pharmaceutically acceptable salts, isomers and derivatives thereof, andmixtures thereof.

The term “gastric fluid” means the endogenous fluid medium of thestomach, including water and secretions. “Simulated gastric fluid” meansany fluid that is generally recognized as providing a useful substitutefor authentic gastric fluid in experiments designed to assess thedissolution rate of substances in the stomach. One such simulatedgastric fluid is USP Gastric Fluid TS, without enzymes. United StatesPharmacopeia and National Formulary 24/19 p. 2235 (1999).

Several hydrophilic materials can be used in the manufacturing process.We have found that a relatively high concentration of starch in thecomposition has marked effect on improving the dissolution rate of thefinal dosage form. Thus, the preferred hydrophilic excipient is starch.Starch is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is derived fromseveral different plant sources, including corn, potatoes, tapioca, riceand wheat. It is composed of amylose and amylopectin units. Starch iscommercially available from numerous manufacturers such as AnheuserBusch, Starchem, A E Staley Mfg. Co., Matheson, Coleman & Bell andHenkel Corp. A preferred starch for use in the present invention ispregelatinized starch meeting the requirements of the Official Monographof the National Formulary. United States Pharmaceopeia & NationalFormulary 26/21 2843 (U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc.: Rockville,Md. 2003).

The improvement in dissolution rate achieved may occur by variousmechanisms. While not intending to be bound by any particular theory asto how the relatively high concentrations of excipients, exemplified bystarch, increases the rate of dissolution of a poorly soluble drug, theparticle size of the starch is not believed to be critical.

The preferred wet double compression process comprises six steps. In thefirst step, a pharmacologically active compound in particulate form isblended with powdered hydrophilic material, preferably starch, toproduce a homogenous blend. The quantity of the pharmacologically activecompound and hydrophilic material to be blended will be determinedtaking into consideration the ratio of ingredients, potency and size ofthe final compressed dosage form. However, when the activepharmaceutical ingredient is poorly soluble in both naturally occurringand simulated gastric and/or intestinal fluids, the amount ofhydrophilic material is preferably provided in an amount that willresult in the hydrophilic material comprising from about 25 to about 90weight percent (wt. %), preferably, from about 35 to about 80 wt. %,and, most preferably, from about 45 to about 75 wt. % of the finaldosage form.

In addition to the active compound and hydrophilic material, otheringredients may also be blended at this stage. Blending can be performedby any known method and using any equipment capable of producing ahomogeneous powder mixture, such as a V-cone blender, powder mixer, highshear mixer, or fluidized bed granulator.

In the second step, the blend is compressed into a coherent solid. Thismay be done using conventional dry granulation techniques like sluggingand roller compaction, which produce slugs, ribbons or sheets.

In the third step, the coherent solid is comminuted into granules.Comminution may be performed with a mill such as a Fitzpatrick mill orby screening.

In the fourth step, the granules are wetted with a liquid. Preferredliquids are water and C₁-C₄ alcohols, with ethanol being especiallypreferred. Yet more preferably, the liquid is a solution of a binder inwater or a C₁-C₄ alcohol. Suitable binders include, for example,polyvinylpyrrolidone (povidone), polyethylene glycol, sugars, invertsugars, poloxamers (PLURONIC® F68, PLURONIC® F127), collagen, albumin,celluloses in nonaqueous solvents, poly(propylene glycol),polyoxyethylene-polypropylene copolymer, polyethylene ester,polyethylene sorbitan ester, poly(ethylene oxide), microcrystallinecellulose. A particularly preferred binder is PVP K-30. Guidance as tothe quantity of liquid to use and the type and quantity of additionalingredients that may be added during this wetting step can be obtainedby reference to the known conditions employed in conventional wetgranulating processes. Accordingly, enough of the liquid is used so thatthe granules and any other solid ingredients included in this step willbe thoroughly wetted, yet not so much that there is a significant amountof free-flowing liquid remaining after all of the insoluble ingredientshave been added. Suitable fillers that may be added include, e.g.,dibasic calcium phosphate, kaolin, sucrose, mannitol, microcrystallinecellulose, powdered cellulose, precipitated calcium carbonate, sorbitol,starch, lactose and combinations thereof. Further, additional solidingredients that may be added include an acidifying agent, alkalizingagent, adsorbent, antioxidant, buffering agent, colorant, electrolyte,emulsifying (suspending) agent, flavorant, fragrance, sweetening agent,antiadherent, binder, diluent, excipient, disintegrant, glidant,lubricant, opaquant, and/or polishing agent.

In the fifth step of the manufacturing process, the wetted granules aredried. Drying can be performed using any conventional drying equipmentsuch as a tray dryer or a fluid bed dryer. The drying temperature willdependent in part upon the thermolability of the active ingredient.

Optionally, additional excipients may be mixed with the dried granules.For instance, it may be necessary or desirable to add a glidant and/or alubricant before loading the granules into the feed hopper of atabletting machine.

In the sixth step of the process, the optionally lubricated driedgranules and any other optional extragranular ingredients are compressedinto a solid dosage form. Any conventional tabletting machinery may beused, such as a hand-operated press, a single station tabletting pressor a rotary tabletting press. The operation of such machinery is wellwithin the ordinary skill in the art.

After tabletting, the tablets may optionally be coated. The coated oruncoated tablets are packaged in conventional manner with appropriatelabeling instructing doctors and patients on the proper use of thetablets.

In another aspect, the present invention provides compressed soliddosage forms containing a pharmacologically active compound having lowaqueous solubility and from about 25 to about 80 wt. % starch. Thecompressed solid dosage forms of this invention are resilient to impact.

The resiliency of tablets toward impact is quantitated in thepharmaceutical industry by the tablet's hardness and friability. Tablethardness is a measure of the tablet's propensity to fracture underapplied pressure. Devices for measuring hardness are commerciallyavailable from a variety of manufacturers such as KRAEMER (UTS) Ltd.Compressed solid dosage forms of this invention have a hardness of atleast about 5 Strong-Cobb units when measured using a KRAEMER (UTS).Friability is measured using the USP testing method. Compressed soliddosage forms of this invention have a friability of less than about 1%,preferably less than about 1%.

In accordance with the present invention, drugs with low aqueoussolubility may be used in treating disease by orally administering suchdrugs in the dosage forms of the invention. For example, theformulations may be used in a method of treating osteoporosis, inparticular. The following formulation examples are illustrative only andare not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

EXAMPLES

General

The starch used in these examples was pregelatinized starch, availablefrom Colorcon. The microcrystalline cellulose used was Avicel® PH 102,available from FMC Biopolymer. The lactose monohydrate used is availablefrom DMV. The magnesium stearate used is available from Peter Greven.The crospovidone used is available from ISP Technologies Inc. Thecolloidal silicon dioxide used was Aerosil® 200, available from Degussa.

Analysis of the raloxifene hydrochloride used showed that the particlesize distribution met the following specifications: d_((0.5)) greaterthan about 35 μm, d_((0.9)) less than about 100 μm. For example, inFormulations 1-4 below, d_((0.5))=38.8 μm and d_((0.9))=90.4 μm. Allparticle sizes herein refer to the mean equivalent spherical diametermeasured by laser light scattering techniques. Thus, the notation“d_((0.5)) greater than about 35 μm” means that 50% of the particles byvolume have a mean equivalent spherical diameter of more than about 35μm, as measured by laser light scattering. The laser light scatteringmeasurement instrument used to measure the particle size distributionsin the Examples was a Malvern Mastersizer® S. The dissolution profilewas generated by testing in either 900 mL or 2 L of a 0.1% aqueouspolysorbate ₈₀ solution, using paddle apparatus (USP Apparatus II) at 50rpm at 37° C.

Example 1 Formulation 1 (Comparative)

A raloxifene hydrochloride tablet having conventional fillers was madeby wet granulation. The ingredients in Table 1 were wet granulated andthen compressed into tablets weighing 250 mg. Starch was not used inFormulation 1. Microcrystalline cellulose and lactose, two commonly usedfillers, were used instead of starch. The dissolution profile ofFormulation 1 in 900 mL and 2 L of 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution,paddle (Apparatus II) at 50 rpm was tested (see dissolution rate study,below). TABLE 1 Ingredient Weight (mg/tablet) Weight Percent Part IRaloxifene hydrochloride 60 24% Crospovidone 10  4% Microcrystallinecellulose 76.5 30.6%   Part II Lactose monohydrate 100 40% Part IIIColloidal silicon dioxide 1 0.4%  Part IV Magnesium stearate 2.5  1%1. Part I ingredients were thoroughly blended.2. Blend of part I was granulated by adding granulation solution(lactose of part II dissolved in water), the granules were dried andmilled (0.6 mm sieve).3. The Part III ingredient was then blended with the granules for about15 minutes.4. The Part IV ingredient was then blended with the granules for about 5minutes.5. The lubricated granules were compressed into tablets 12.0 × 5.5 mm.Tablet hardness was found to be 9 Strong-Cobb units.

Example 2 Formulation 2 (Comparative)

Raloxifene tablets weighing 250 mg were made from the ingredients listedin Table 2 by the wet double compression method. Formulation 2 is anexample of use of a relatively low starch content from about 0 up toabout 24 wt. %. The dissolution profile of Formulation 2 in 900 mL and 2L of 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, paddle (Apparatus II) at 50rpm was tested (see dissolution rate study, below). TABLE 2 IngredientWeight (mg/tablet) Weight Percent Part I Raloxifene hydrochloride 60 24% Starch 60  24% Part II Magnesium stearate 2 0.8% Part IIIMicrocrystalline cellulose 85  34% Polyvinylpyrrolidinone 9 3.6% Part IVMicrocrystalline cellulose 30.75 12.3%  Colloidal silicon dioxide 1.250.5% Part V Magnesium stearate 2 0.8%1. Part I ingredients were thoroughly blended.2. Part II ingredient was added to part I and blended, and compressedinto slugs.3. The slugs were then milled into granules.4. Granules obtained after step 3 with addition of microcrystallinecellulose (Part III) were granulated in a granulation solution (PVPdissolved in EtOH 95%). The granules were dried and milled (0.6 mmsieve).5. The Part IV ingredients were then blended with the granules for about15 minutes.6. The Part V ingredient was then blended with the granules for about 5minutes.7. The resultant blend was compressed into tablets 12.0 × 5.5 mm.Tablet hardness was found to be about 9 to 10 Strong-Cobb units.

Example 3

Preparative

Formulation 3

Raloxifene tablets weighing 250 mg were made from the ingredients listedin Table 3 utilizing a dry granulation method. Formulation 2 is anexample of use of a high starch content from about 35 to about 75 wt. %.The dissolution profile of Formulation 3 in 900 mL and 2 L of 0.1%aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, paddle (Apparatus II) at 50 rpm wastested (see dissolution rate study, below). TABLE 3 Ingredient Weight(mg/tablet) Weight Percent Part I Raloxifene hydrochloride 60  24%Starch 161 64.4%  Part II Magnesium stearate 0.75 0.3% Part IIIMicrocrystalline cellulose 25.25 10.1%  Colloidal silicon dioxide 1.250.5% Part IV Magnesium stearate 1.75 0.7%1. Part I ingredients were thoroughly blended.2. Part II ingredient was added to part I and blended, and compressedinto slugs.3. The slugs were then milled into granules.4. The Part III ingredients were then blended with the granules forabout 15 minutes.5. The Part IV ingredient was then blended with the granules for about 5minutes.6. The resultant blend was compressed into tablets 12.0 × 5.5 mm.Tablet hardness was found to be about 11 Strong-Cobb units.

Formulation 4

Raloxifene tablets weighing 250 mg were made from the ingredients listedin Table 4 by the wet double compression method. The dissolution profileof Formulation 4 in 900 mL and 2 L of 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80solution, paddle (Apparatus II) at 50 rpm was tested (see dissolutionrate study, below). TABLE 4 Ingredient Weight (mg/tablet) Weight PercentPart I Raloxifene hydrochloride 60  24% Starch 152 60.8%  Part IIMagnesium stearate 0.75 0.3% Part III Polyvinylpyrrolidinone 9 3.6% PartIV Microcrystalline cellulose 25.25 10.1%  Colloidal silicon dioxide1.25 0.5% Part V Magnesium stearate 1.75 0.7%1. Part I ingredients were thoroughly blended.2. Part II ingredient was added to part I and blended, and compressedinto slugs.3. The slugs were then milled into granules.4. Granules obtained after step 3 were further granulated in agranulation solution (PVP dissolved in EtOH 95%). The granules weredried and milled (0.6 mm sieve).5. The Part IV ingredients were then blended with the granules for about15 minutes.6. The Part V ingredient was then blended with the granules for about 5minutes.7. The resultant blend was compressed into tablets 12.0 × 5.5 mm.Tablet hardness was found to be about 7 Strong-Cobb units.

Formulation 5

Raloxifene tablets weighing 350 mg are made from the ingredients listedin Table 5 by the wet double compression method. Formulation 5 is anexample of use of a very high starch content above about 75 wt. %. TABLE5 Ingredient Weight (mg/tablet) Weight Percent Part I Raloxifenehydrochloride 60   24% Starch 262.5   75% Part II Magnesium stearate 10.28% Part III Polyvinylpyrrolidinone 9 2.57% Part IV Microcrystallinecellulose 14.5 4.14% Colloidal silicon dioxide 1.0 0.28% Part VMagnesium stearate 2 0.56%1. Part I ingredients are thoroughly blended.2. Part II ingredient is added to part I and blended, and compressedinto slugs.3. The slugs are then milled into granules.4. Granules obtained after 3 are granulated in a granulation solution(PVP dissolved in EtOH 95%). The granules are dried and milled (0.6 mmsieve).5. The Part IV ingredients are then blended with the granules for about15 minutes.6. The Part V ingredient is then blended with the granules for about 5minutes.7. The resultant blend is compressed into tablets 12.0 × 5.5 mm.Tablet hardness is expected to be about more than 5 Strong-Cobb units.Dissolution Rate Study

The dissolution rates of Formulations 1-4 were tested in 900 mL of a0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, paddle apparatus (USP ApparatusII, 50 rpm, 37° C.) at 10, 20, 30 and 45 min intervals. The dissolutiondata are shown in Table 6 and the dissolution profile is shown inFIG. 1. The dissolution rates of Formulations 1-4 were also tested 2 Lof a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, paddle apparatus (USPApparatus II, 50 rpm, 37° C.) at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min intervals.The dissolution data are shown in Table 7 and the dissolution profile isshown in FIG. 2. TABLE 6 (900 mL of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80solution) 24% 60.8% starch (wet 64% starch starch (wet double (doubledouble no starch compression) compression) compression) FormulationFormulation Formulation Formulation time min 1 2 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 10 28 1647 21 20 40 30 70 54 30 48 41 77 61 45 53 50 81 64

TABLE 7 (2 L of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution) 24% 60.8% starch(wet 64% starch starch (wet double (double double no starch compression)compression) compression) Formulation Formulation FormulationFormulation time min 1 2 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 20 20.1 23.7 39.9 31.4 30 31.332.3 65.2 72.3 40 26.8 45.2 75.0 86.0 50 31.2 56.0 83.2 92.6 60 37.661.2 85.9 93.6

As can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the use of high level of starch asa filler in Formulations 3 and 4 greatly increased the dissolution rateof the raloxifene relative to Formulation 1, which used conventionaldirect compression fillers, and relative to Formulation 2, which used arelatively low level of starch.

Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention havebeen described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artto which the invention pertains that variations and modifications of thedescribed embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the inventionbe limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and theapplicable rules of law.

1. A compressed pharmaceutical dosage form comprising: a) apharmacologically active compound having low aqueous solubility, and b)starch in an amount of greater than about 25 weight percent.
 2. Acompressed pharmaceutical dosage form comprising: a) a pharmacologicallyactive compound having low aqueous solubility, and b) starch in anamount of from about 35 to about 80 weight percent.
 3. The compressedpharmaceutical dosage form of claim 1 having a hardness of at leastabout 5 Strong-Cobb units.
 4. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage formof claim 1 wherein the amount of starch is from about 45 weight percentto about 75 weight percent.
 5. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage formof claim 1 wherein the pharmacologically active compound having lowaqueous solubility is selected from the group consisting of raloxifene,oxcarbazepine and atorvastatin, pharmaceutically acceptable salts,isomers and derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof.
 6. The compressedpharmaceutical dosage form of claim 5 wherein the pharmacologicallyactive compound having low aqueous solubility is raloxifenehydrochloride.
 7. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 6wherein the raloxifene hydrochloride has a particle size distributionsuch that d₍₅₀₎ is greater than or equal to about 35 μm measured bylaser light scattering.
 8. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form ofclaim 7 wherein more than about 60% of the raloxifene hydrochloride inthe dosage form is dissolved within about 45 minutes in 900 mL of a 0.1%aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.9. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 7 wherein morethan about 60% of the raloxifene hydrochloride in the dosage form isdissolved within about 40 minutes in 2 L of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.
 10. The compressedpharmaceutical dosage form of claim 7 wherein more than about 50% of theraloxifene hydrochloride in the dosage form is dissolved within about 20minutes in 900 mL of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, USP paddleapparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.
 11. The compressed pharmaceutical dosageform of claim 7 wherein more than about 50% of the raloxifenehydrochloride in the dosage form is dissolved within about 30 minutes in2 L of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at50 rpm, 37° C.
 12. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 6wherein more than about 50% of the raloxifene hydrochloride in thedosage form is dissolved within about 20 minutes in 900 mL of a 0.1%aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.13. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 7 wherein morethan about 70% of the raloxifene hydrochloride in the dosage form isdissolved within about 50 minutes in 2 L of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.
 14. A compressedpharmaceutical dosage form comprising raloxifene hydrochloride whereinthe raloxifene hydrochloride has a particle size distribution such thatd₍₅₀₎ is greater than or equal to about 35 μm measured by laser lightscattering.
 15. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 14wherein more than about 60% of the raloxifene hydrochloride in thedosage form is dissolved within about 45 minutes in 900 mL of a 0.1%aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.16. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 14 wherein morethan about 60% of the raloxifene hydrochloride in the dosage form isdissolved within about 40 minutes in 2 L of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.
 17. The compressedpharmaceutical dosage form of claim 14 wherein more than about 50% ofthe raloxifene hydrochloride in the dosage form is dissolved withinabout 20 minutes in 900 mL of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution,USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.
 18. The compressed pharmaceuticaldosage form of claim 14 wherein more than about 50% of the raloxifenehydrochloride in the dosage form is dissolved within about 30 minutes in2 L of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at50 rpm, 37° C.
 19. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 5wherein more than about 50% of the active compound is dissolved withinabout 20 minutes in 900 mL of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution,USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.
 20. The compressed pharmaceuticaldosage form of claim 14 wherein more than about 70% of the raloxifenehydrochloride is dissolved within about 50 minutes in 2 L of a 0.1%aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.21. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 14 wherein theraloxifene hydrochloride has a particle size distribution such thatd₍₉₀₎ is less than or equal to about 100 μm measured by laser lightscattering.
 22. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 21wherein more than about 60% of the raloxifene hydrochloride in thedosage form is dissolved within about 45 minutes in 900 mL of a 0.1%aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.23. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 21 wherein morethan about 60% of the raloxifene hydrochloride in the dosage form isdissolved within about 40 minutes in 2 L of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.
 24. The compressedpharmaceutical dosage form of claim 21 wherein more than about 50% ofthe raloxifene hydrochloride in the dosage form is dissolved withinabout 20 minutes in 900 mL of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution,USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.
 25. The compressed pharmaceuticaldosage form of claim 21 wherein more than about 50% of the raloxifenehydrochloride in the dosage form is dissolved within about 30 minutes in2 L of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate 80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at50 rpm, 37° C.
 26. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 4wherein more than about 50% of the active compound in the dosage form isdissolved within about 20 minutes in 900 mL of a 0.1% aqueouspolysorbate 80 solution, USP paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.
 27. Thecompressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 21 wherein more thanabout 70% of the raloxifene hydrochloride in the dosage form isdissolved within about 50 minutes in 2 L of a 0.1% aqueous polysorbate80 solution, paddle apparatus at 50 rpm, 37° C.
 28. The compressedpharmaceutical dosage form of claim 6 wherein the raloxifenehydrochloride has a particle size distribution such that d₍₅₀₎ isgreater or equal to about 35 μm and d₍₅₀₎ is less than or equal to about100 μm measured by laser light scattering.
 29. A method of treatingosteoporosis comprising orally administering to a patient a compressedpharmaceutical dosage form of claim
 6. 30. A method of treating diseasecomprising orally administering to a patient a compressed pharmaceuticaldosage form of claim
 1. 31. A process for preparing a compressedpharmaceutical dosage form for a drug with low aqueous solubilitycomprising: a) blending a particulate pharmacologically active compoundand starch, b) compressing the blend into a coherent solid, c)comminuting the coherent solid into granules, d) wetting the granuleswith a liquid, e) drying the wetted granules to form dried granules, andf) tabletting the dried granules.
 32. The process of claim 31 whereinone or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are blended with theblend of the pharmacologically active compound and the starch beforecompressing the blend into a coherent solid.
 33. The process of claim 32wherein the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients areselected from the group consisting of lubricants, disintegrants,binders, and diluents.
 34. The process of claim 31 wherein the coherentsolid is a slug.
 35. The process of claim 31 wherein the coherent solidis in the form of a compacted sheet or ribbon.
 36. The process of claim31 wherein comminuting comprises passing the coherent solid through ascreen.
 37. The process of claim 31 wherein comminuting comprisesmilling the coherent solid into a milled solid.
 38. The process of claim37 wherein comminuting further comprises screening the milled solid. 39.The process of claim 31 further comprising combining the granules withone or more pharmaceutical excipients before drying.
 40. The process ofclaim 39 wherein the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipientsare selected from the group consisting of disintegrants, binders,lubricants, and glidants.
 41. The process of claim 40 wherein the one ormore pharmaceutically acceptable excipients comprises a binder.
 42. Theprocess of claim 41 wherein combining the granules with the bindercomprises dissolving or dispersing the binder in the liquid beforewetting the granules with the liquid.
 43. The process of claim 42wherein the binder is polyvinylpyrrolidinone and the liquid is ethanol.44. The process of claim 31 wherein the dried granules are screenedbefore tabletting.
 45. The process of claim 31 wherein one or morepharmaceutically acceptable excipients are blended with the driedgranules before tabletting the dried granules.
 46. The process of claim31 wherein the particulate pharmacologically active compound israloxifene hydrochloride having a particle size distribution such thatd₍₅₀₎ is greater than or equal to about 35 μm measured by laser lightscattering.
 47. The process of claim 31 wherein the particulatepharmacologically active compound is raloxifene hydrochloride having aparticle size distribution such that d₍₉₀₎ is less than or equal toabout 100 μm measured by laser light scattering,
 48. The process ofclaim 31 wherein the particulate pharmacologically active compound israloxifene hydrochloride having a particle size distribution such thatd₍₅₀₎ is greater than or equal to about 35 μm and d₍₉₀₎ is less than orequal to about 100 μm measured by laser light scattering.
 49. Theprocess of claim 31 wherein the amount of starch is greater than about25 weight percent.
 50. A compressed pharmaceutical dosage formcomprising: a) raloxifene hydrochloride in an amount of about 25 weightpercent, and b) starch in an amount of from about 25 to about 90 weightpercent.
 51. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 50wherein the amount of starch is from about 70 to about 80 weightpercent.
 52. The compressed pharmaceutical dosage form of claim 50wherein the raloxifene hydrochloride has a particle size distributionsuch that about 50% of the particles are retained on a sieve with about35μ openings and about 90% of the particles pass through a sieve withabout 100μ openings.